Flashlight with rotatable lamp head

• US 6,012,824 A
• Filed: 10/08/1998
• Issued: 01/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Streamlight, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Streamlight, Inc.
• Inventors: Sharrah, Raymond, Craft, Charles, DiNenna, John
• Primary Examiner(s): HUSAR, STEPHEN F
• Application Number:
  US09/168,459
• Time in Patent Office: 460 Days
• Field of Search: 362/183, 362/197, 362/199, 362/287, 362/158
• US Class Current: 362/199
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/025 the light sources being of different shape or type
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/027 the light sources being a LED
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/045 Pocket lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/08 characterised by means for in situ recharging of the batteries or cells
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/045 in portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/01 Housings, e.g. material or assembling of housing parts F21V15/02 takes precedence housings forming signs or letters G09F13/04
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/084 Head fittings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/30 Pivoted housings or frames
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0414 specially adapted to be used with portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/03 with provision for venting for vehicle head lights F21S45/33; for vehicle rear lights F21S41/192
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0025 Combination of two or more reflectors for a single light source array of reflectors for a cluster of light sources F21V7/0083
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2101/00 Point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/00 Combination of light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/20 of different form
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A flashlight with a rotatable lamp head is provided. The lamp head pivots about two cylindrical coaxial electrical connectors. The lamp head also includes reflector having a major parabolic reflective surface and a minor reflective parabolic surface. The reflector is configured so that the minor reflective surface is nested within the major reflective surface. The flashlight also includes a series of fluid-tight seals to insure that the flashlight is waterproof. In addition, a flapper valve is provided to function as a one-way valve allowing the release of gases produced by the use of the batters, and preventing fluid from entering the flashlight. A battery charger is also provided to recharge a battery pack for the flashlight.

Claims

1. A flashlight comprising:

a housing;

a battery located within the housing;

a lamp head having a light element;

a longitudinally elongated hollow cylindrical first contact pivotably connecting the housing with the lamp head, the first contact providing an electrical path between the battery and the light element;

a second contact substantially coaxial with the first contact, providing an electrical path between the battery and the light element; and

an elongated cylindrical insulator disposed between the first and second contacts.

2. The flashlight of claim 1 wherein the second contact is a longitudinally elongated hollow cylindrical contact.

3. The flashlight of claim 1 wherein the first contact comprises an annular flange projecting radially outwardly from one end.

4. The flashlight of claim 3 wherein the second contact comprises an annular flange projecting radially outwardly from one end.

5. The flashlight of claim 1 wherein the lamp head and housing are fluid tight and the flashlight comprises a one-way valve operable to allow passage of gas out of the flashlight, while preventing fluid from entering the flashlight.

6. The flashlight of claim 1 wherein the housing is configured to cooperate with a battery charger having charger contacts, and the flashlight comprises a pair of recharging contacts for engaging the charging contacts to charge the battery.

7. A flashlight comprising:

a housing;

a battery located within the housing;

a lamp head pivotably connected to the barrel so that the head lamp pivots about a pivot axis;

a first conductive element substantially coaxial with the pivot axis providing an electrical path between the lamp head and the battery; and

a second conductive element substantially coaxial with the first conductive element, providing an electrical path between the lamp head and the battery.

8. The flashlight of claim 7 wherein the first conductive element is a hollow cylindrical element.

9. The flashlight of claim 8 wherein the second conductive element is a hollow cylindrical element.

10. The flashlight of claim 7 comprising an elongated cylindrical insulator disposed between the first and second conductive elements.

11. The flashlight of claim 7 wherein the first conductive element provides the pivotable connection between the housing and the lamp head.

12. The flashlight of claim 7 wherein the first conductive element comprises an annular flange projecting radially outwardly from one end.

13. The flashlight of claim 12 wherein the second conductive element comprises an annular flange projecting radially outwardly from one end.

14. The flashlight of claim 7 wherein the lamp head and housing are fluid tight and the flashlight comprises a one-way valve operable to allow passage of gas out of the flashlight, while preventing fluid from entering the flashlight.

15. The flashlight of claim 7 wherein the housing is configured to cooperate with a battery charger having charger contacts, and the flashlight comprises a pair of recharging contacts for engaging the charging contacts to charge the battery.

16. A flashlight comprising:

a housing;

a battery located within the housing;

a lamp head having a light element; and

a longitudinally elongated hollow cylindrical contact pivotably connecting the housing with the lamp head, the contact providing an electrical path between the battery and the light element.

17. The flashlight of claim 16 comprising a second contact substantially coaxial with the cylindrical contact, providing an electrical path between the battery and the light element.

18. A flashlight comprising:

a housing;

a battery within the housing;

a lamp head having a light element, the lamp head being pivotably connected with the housing;

a first conductive element providing an electrical path between the battery and the light element; and

a second conductive element substantially coaxial with the first conductive element, providing an electrical path between the battery and the light element.

19. The flashlight of claim 18 wherein the first conductive element is a hollow cylindrical element.

20. The flashlight of claim 18 wherein the second conductive element is a hollow cylindrical element.

21. The flashlight of claim 18 comprising an elongated cylindrical insulator disposed between the first and second conductive elements.

22. The flashlight of claim 18 wherein the first conductive element provides the pivotable connection between the housing and the lamp head.

23. The flashlight of claim 18 wherein the first conductive element comprises an annular flange projecting radially outwardly from one end.

24. The flashlight of claim 23 wherein the second conductive element comprises an annular flange projecting radially outwardly from one end.

25. The flashlight of claim 18 wherein the lamp head and housing are fluid tight and the flashlight comprises a one-way valve operable to allow passage of gas out of the flashlight, while preventing fluid from entering the flashlight.

26. The flashlight of claim 18 wherein the housing is configured to cooperate with a battery charger having charger contacts, and the flashlight comprises a pair of recharging contacts for engaging the charging contacts to charge the battery.